Sounds

Just a quick update from me this week, although I've done quite a lot on making the sounds for the game.

Using the site 'beatlab' that I mentioned last week, I have been able to create lots of sounds for the game. We can now start taking out the placeholder sounds and adding these in. I've also done a vast amount of research on the subject.

I will do a full update on my progress including links to articles and games i've used for research and i'll also post some of the sounds (if possible) on this blog. This update will come before next weekends update.

Written by Phil

Sounds and Textures

Over the course of the last week, I have been looking into how to make sounds for our game. Sounds and music are something I haven't worked with in any detail before so this will be another steep learning curve for me. We worked on creating music in our first year on the course but this wasn't particularly involved. I will, however, be able to draw on this experience to help me complete this task.

I have been looking at various sites but have been pointed in the direction of 'beatlab', an online sound mixing program. This site allows the user to mix their own sounds and music and I have already made a number of short sounds and tunes that can be used in game.

I have also been looking into using Abode Illustrator. It's a program that hasn't been used on the course but it's something I would very much like to learn. I have already got to grips with it quite quickly although there is a lot still to be looked at. I plan on using my new skills on this program to make textures for the levels over the coming weeks.

Here is the link to beatlab,
http://www.beatlab.com/

Written by Phil

Weekly update

I've been away this past week so have been unable to work on the project. Next week, however, will return to normal.

Written by Phil

Project Update

After having a formal, marked presentation on this project just over a week ago, I thought it best to evaluate the current state of the project and see where it needs to be heading. During my presentation feedback, it was concluded by the tutors that the game is still at a 'development stage' and that polishing the current elements and mechanics was going to be the important focus point for the rest of the project.

That being said, we want to create a further two routes in the coming weeks before we start to polish all of the game elements. This will bring the game to a playable point, leaving us with a few months to refine all of the mechanics.

As an individual, the tasks I have completed up to this point have met with my initial timeline and have been as challenging and time consuming as first expected. It has, however, been a good learning curve and I can now look to bring the game up to a polished standard.

There won't be an update from me for next week as I am away for family reasons. I will, however, blog upon my return.

Written by Phil

A.I. Indicator Video

Following up from my blog post earlier this week, here is a video with the A.I. indicator working. Please note that the arrow is only a placeholder. It works really well, although it will be more useful when the levels become trickier to navigate.

Written by Phil

Written by Phil

AI Indicator

This is an early update for me this week as work on the AI indicator has progressed well today. I am now at the stage where there is an arrow drawn to the worker robot when he is off-screen and the arrow moves to show the enemies position. I have also managed to get the arrow to disappear when the worker robot is within view of the player.

Completing this is really pleasing as it has been the most in depth part of code I have undertaken on the project. I have had some advice from my dissertation tutor during a meeting with him today. This has really helped me understand the more in depth parts to this coding process.

The arrow is still only a placeholder asset at the moment as I thought it more important to get the code sorted before making final artwork. Later this week I will upload a video showing the arrow fully operational.

Posted by Phil

Update / Next Task

I have not been able to make much progress on the project this week as I have had an issue with my laptop and it has had to be sent in for repair. I'll be working on the university computers next week in order to continue work on the game.

I have however looked at some menu ideas and drawn up a few concepts. We, as a team, have decided to got with a 2D cartoony menu to suit the game and I have been tasked with designing this. The menu ideas I have drawn up will be a good base from which I'll be able to make some full artwork.

I plan on completing work on the enemy AI tomorrow, after a dissertation meeting with my designated lecturer. Once this is complete I will move straight onto the menu design and start adding code for it to be used within the game. I'm excited to undertake this task, not only because I enjoy making 2D artwork but also because it will be giving me more coding tasks to undertake which will further increase my knowledge in this area.

Written by Phil